The Harley Benton D-SEED is a two-channel digital delay pedal, sold under Harley Benton's house brand name. It offers four delay modes, a Tap Tempo function and two savable presets, with a delay time of 17 to 1000 ms set from the Time control1. The same design appears in Joyo's own range as the D-SEED, which Joyo describes as a Dual Channel Digital Delay with four delay effect modes and 2 presets2.
The four modes
The Mode control selects one of four delay characters, each described by Harley Benton on the product page1:
| Mode | What Harley Benton says it does |
|---|---|
| Copy | Sound of the instrument is not affected |
| Analog | Warm, analog sound |
| Modulation | Modulated sound with plenty of space |
| Reverse | Reversed delay |
Copy is the straightforward repeat, keeping the picked tone unchanged. Analog adds the darker, warmer character associated with older analog delay designs. Modulation puts a modulated edge on the repeats with a lot of ambience, and Reverse plays the repeats backwards1.
Two channels and presets
The pedal carries two channels, and Harley Benton notes that you can save two of your favorite sets, one per channel1. Joyo's page for the same design confirms the 2-preset count2. In practice that means one sound under your foot and one a switch away, rather than the deeper preset banks of larger pedals.
Tap tempo is built in as well. On the later Joyo D-Seed II, the successor to this design, Joyo explains the intent of the feature: "Tap Tempo is one of its functions, you can set the time of the delay with only one foot."3
Power and practicalities
The D-SEED cannot run on a battery. Harley Benton specifies power supply only, with a mains adapter such as its own article #409939, which is not included1. Budget for a supply if you do not already have one.
The pedal draws 75 mA1, which most standard pedalboard power supplies handle, but a battery clip or an unregulated supply is not an option here. The enclosure measures 105 x 97 x 48 mm1, a compact two-knob-row format that sits comfortably on a crowded board.
The D-SEED family
The D-SEED name covers more than one pedal. The original Joyo D-SEED, the design the Harley Benton version follows, is a digital delay with four modes, and Joyo's page also lists a maximum delay time of 5.94 seconds2. The newer Joyo D-Seed II is a stereo delay with 8 delay modes supporting a maximum of 2000 ms delay time, according to Joyo3. Delicious Audio's write-up of the II repeats that specification: "8 delay modes, supports a maximum of 2000ms delay time"4, and Guitar World's news item on its launch describes "up to two seconds of delay time"5.
If a single-channel delay is all you need, Harley Benton also sells a simpler Digital Delay, and the Sugar & Spice and Duality cover other two-effect formats. For the wider field, see the site's Delay Pedals page.
Videos
EytschPi42
EytschPi42
MrSanSystem
Questions
Can the Harley Benton D-SEED run on a battery?
No. Harley Benton states that battery operation is not possible, and the pedal must be powered with a mains adapter. The adapter is not included with the pedal, so you will need a suitable 9V-style supply or an existing pedalboard power source before the D-SEED will run.
Does the Harley Benton D-SEED have tap tempo?
Yes. Harley Benton lists a Tap Tempo function among the pedal's features. On the related Joyo D-Seed II, the maker notes that tap tempo lets you set the delay time with only one foot, which is how the feature is intended to be used on this design.
How many presets can the Harley Benton D-SEED save?
Two. Harley Benton says you can save two of your favourite sets, and Joyo's own page for the D-SEED likewise lists 2 presets. The two channels let you keep one setting on each and switch between them during play.
What is the delay time range of the Harley Benton D-SEED?
Harley Benton gives a delay time of 17 to 1000 ms via the Time control. That is about one second of maximum delay, set with the pedal's Time knob rather than by tapping alone.
Does the Harley Benton D-SEED have a reverse delay?
Yes. Reverse is one of the pedal's four modes, described by Harley Benton as a reversed delay. The other three modes are Copy, Analogue and Modulation.
Is a power supply included with the Harley Benton D-SEED?
No. Harley Benton's product page notes that the pedal is power supply only, with a mains adapter given as an example article that is not included. You will need to add or already own a suitable adapter.
Sources (5)
- D-SEED - Harley Benton, Harley Benton
- D-SEED_JOYO, JOYO
- D-SEED II_JOYO, JOYO
- Joyo D-Seed II Stereo Multi-Delay, Delicious Audio, 2021-02-05
- Joyo Announces New D-Seed II Digital Delay Pedal, Guitar World, 2019-03-14
